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The Five of Us
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10 copies available
U.S. only
Dark academia is turned inside out in
The Five of Us
, an unsettling, propulsive thriller where home is not a sanctuary, isolation looms, and the future has evaporated. All that’s left is fear, frustration, and an anger that won’t go away.
Meet Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo—five girls who will never tell you their real names. They’re the brightest students at an underfunded, inner-city Bristol school, pushing toward opportunity despite the odds stacked against them. They believe they’re on the cusp of something better … until the world abruptly shuts down. Exams are cancelled, their plans collapse, and the future dissolves into a fog of uncertainty.
With long nights, a city under curfew, and nothing left to lose, the girls slip into a world of dark possibility. Each illicit outing becomes its own kind of dangerous magic. Their choices spiral—from reckless to ruthless—and by the end of a strange, suspended summer, more than one person will be dead.
Seven years later, the survivors have not spoken since. But someone knows what happened. Someone who has been watching. Hunting. Taunting. As they stumble through an adulthood they were never prepared for—and reckon with all the wounds of a generation left behind—the rage that bound them together in the past resurfaces with lethal force.
They broke the rules. And now the rules may end up breaking them.
Meet Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo—five girls who will never tell you their real names. They’re the brightest students at an underfunded, inner-city Bristol school, pushing toward opportunity despite the odds stacked against them. They believe they’re on the cusp of something better … until the world abruptly shuts down. Exams are cancelled, their plans collapse, and the future dissolves into a fog of uncertainty.
With long nights, a city under curfew, and nothing left to lose, the girls slip into a world of dark possibility. Each illicit outing becomes its own kind of dangerous magic. Their choices spiral—from reckless to ruthless—and by the end of a strange, suspended summer, more than one person will be dead.
Seven years later, the survivors have not spoken since. But someone knows what happened. Someone who has been watching. Hunting. Taunting. As they stumble through an adulthood they were never prepared for—and reckon with all the wounds of a generation left behind—the rage that bound them together in the past resurfaces with lethal force.
They broke the rules. And now the rules may end up breaking them.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
Sian Gilbert
3 books868 followersSian Gilbert is a thriller author in the United Kingdom. She is represented by Helen Heller at the Helen Heller Agency.
Her debut thriller SHE STARTED IT (June 13th 2023) was a Book of the Month Main Selection, and an Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. Her second thriller I DID WARN HER (June 18th 2025) received a starred review from Booklist.
Sian's third novel, THE FIVE OF US, is coming August 2026.
Follow Sian on Instagram, TikTok and X: @sianmgilbert
Find Sian on Facebook:
Sian Gilbert - Author
Her debut thriller SHE STARTED IT (June 13th 2023) was a Book of the Month Main Selection, and an Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense. Her second thriller I DID WARN HER (June 18th 2025) received a starred review from Booklist.
Sian's third novel, THE FIVE OF US, is coming August 2026.
Follow Sian on Instagram, TikTok and X: @sianmgilbert
Find Sian on Facebook:
Sian Gilbert - Author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 4, 2026
I’m a big fan of Sian Gilbert now. I love her storytelling and the reveals that pop up here and there. I really loved the friendship of these girls and I was excited to be on that journey with them (despite the murders).
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
July 10, 2026
Thank you Net Galley for an Advance Reader Copy of this book!
I have been looking forward to reading this book since Sian Gilbert first announced it. I have read She Started and really enjoyed it, and I own I Did Warn Her and I am excited to pick it up. I have like Gilbert's writing style and the fresh and interesting stories she brings to the genre. With that being said, I think the expectation I had for The Five of Us was set fairly high, and I think this book rose to that expectation for me.
This story follows five 17-18 year old girls in the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic experimenting with freedom and rebellion who end up taking it too far. Their lives all change and they have to learn how to move on while also keeping each other's secrets.
I think that the atmosphere of this book was done very well. I was a little hesitant at first when I realized that this book was set in 2020 during lockdown. That's a time that feels so many people try to avoid. I have read two books in the past that were set during lockdown and found them to leave me feeling very icky. The Five of Us, however, did not give me the same feeling. This book focuses on the isolation of the pandemic, but also the new freedom, exploration, and rebellion during this time. I believe Gilbert did a great job of using lockdown as a setting, but not focusing too much on it as a plot point.
I did find myself struggling at the start of this book to care about the characters and to become invested of the story. The "action" didn't start until around the 35-40% mark for me. So I do believe the first quarter dragged on a bit for me. However, I was hooked on the story from that point until the very end. I definitely enjoyed the second half more than the first half because it felt faster paced.
Overall, I found this book to be fun to read, a fresh story, and gripping after the story got started.
I have been looking forward to reading this book since Sian Gilbert first announced it. I have read She Started and really enjoyed it, and I own I Did Warn Her and I am excited to pick it up. I have like Gilbert's writing style and the fresh and interesting stories she brings to the genre. With that being said, I think the expectation I had for The Five of Us was set fairly high, and I think this book rose to that expectation for me.
This story follows five 17-18 year old girls in the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic experimenting with freedom and rebellion who end up taking it too far. Their lives all change and they have to learn how to move on while also keeping each other's secrets.
I think that the atmosphere of this book was done very well. I was a little hesitant at first when I realized that this book was set in 2020 during lockdown. That's a time that feels so many people try to avoid. I have read two books in the past that were set during lockdown and found them to leave me feeling very icky. The Five of Us, however, did not give me the same feeling. This book focuses on the isolation of the pandemic, but also the new freedom, exploration, and rebellion during this time. I believe Gilbert did a great job of using lockdown as a setting, but not focusing too much on it as a plot point.
I did find myself struggling at the start of this book to care about the characters and to become invested of the story. The "action" didn't start until around the 35-40% mark for me. So I do believe the first quarter dragged on a bit for me. However, I was hooked on the story from that point until the very end. I definitely enjoyed the second half more than the first half because it felt faster paced.
Overall, I found this book to be fun to read, a fresh story, and gripping after the story got started.
Did Not Finish
August 2, 2026This one just wasn’t for me. The premise immediately caught my attention, but the story never delivered the way I was hoping. It felt very slow, and I kept waiting for something to really pull me in, but it never happened. I also thought it leaned much more juvenile than adult, which made it harder for me to connect with the story. Also, the characters felt flat and didn’t have the depth I usually look for, so I never became invested in what happened to them.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the advance listener copy. This review reflects my own opinion and was shared in exchange for the advance listener copy. I’d recommend this for young adults. This story had an interesting idea, but the execution just didn’t work for me.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the advance listener copy. This review reflects my own opinion and was shared in exchange for the advance listener copy. I’d recommend this for young adults. This story had an interesting idea, but the execution just didn’t work for me.
August 6, 2026
Moody and atmospheric, The Five of Us perfectly captures the intense isolation of the early days of the pandemic and the struggles of a generation left unmoored. The future is uncertain, what was once promised is no longer guaranteed, but the possibilities are endless.
I loved Gilbert’s two previous novels, but this is the one that truly showcases her range as a writer. This is a story that mixes the suspense and literary genres in a way that leaves you both unsettled and yet hungering for the next page. The way Gilbert conveys emotion through all her characters is extremely well done. I felt their anger, their fear, and the stirrings of wonder that came with sudden freedom. I could not put it down!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Gilbert’s two previous novels, but this is the one that truly showcases her range as a writer. This is a story that mixes the suspense and literary genres in a way that leaves you both unsettled and yet hungering for the next page. The way Gilbert conveys emotion through all her characters is extremely well done. I felt their anger, their fear, and the stirrings of wonder that came with sudden freedom. I could not put it down!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2026
This book really had me in a chokehold from beginning to end! Five girls, the brightest students in an underfunded inner city school on the cusp of graduation get antsy when lockdown changes their whole world and potentially their futures.
Exams are cancelled and now their futures feel so uncertain to them. They start sneaking out at night to an abandoned house and that is where things go downhill. I felt that each character was so well developed where we got a feel for all of their motivations.
My jaw dropped several times during this book. Definitely a page turner for me!
Exams are cancelled and now their futures feel so uncertain to them. They start sneaking out at night to an abandoned house and that is where things go downhill. I felt that each character was so well developed where we got a feel for all of their motivations.
My jaw dropped several times during this book. Definitely a page turner for me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“The Five of Us” by Sian Gilbert is one of those thrillers that feels less interested in shocking twists and more interested in exploring how guilt, loneliness, and one terrible decision can shape an entire life. Part dark academia, part psychological thriller, and deeply rooted in the strange reality of 2020, this is a slow-burning but emotionally powerful story about friendship, anger, and the long shadow of regret.
The story follows five exceptionally bright girls attending an underfunded school in Bristol. Known only by their bird nicknames—Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo—they've built their identities around academic success and dreams of escaping their circumstances. Then the pandemic arrives, exams are canceled, their carefully planned futures suddenly disappear, and they're left isolated with nothing but uncertainty stretching ahead of them.
At first, the girls simply start breaking lockdown rules to spend time together. But boredom, frustration, and a growing sense that the world has abandoned them slowly push them toward increasingly reckless behavior. Something happens during that summer, something devastating enough to destroy their friendship forever.
Seven years later, the surviving girls are scattered, estranged, and carrying the emotional scars of what happened. Just as they've begun building separate lives, they discover that someone knows the truth about that summer. Forced back together, they're confronted with old secrets, unresolved trauma, and the possibility that the past may never stay buried.
What stood out to me most was how effectively the book captures the emotional atmosphere of 2020. Rather than focusing on the pandemic itself, the story examines the frustration, isolation, and hopelessness that many people experienced during that time. These girls had spent years working toward a future that suddenly vanished overnight. The resulting anger and recklessness feel believable, and the book does an excellent job showing how loneliness and uncertainty can push people toward choices they never would have made otherwise.
The friendship dynamics are easily the strongest part of the novel. Even when the girls are making terrible decisions, their bond feels genuine. The story spends a lot of time exploring loyalty, class differences, ambition, and the complicated ways friendships evolve under pressure. Watching these relationships fracture and later seeing the lingering effects years afterward gave the book much of its emotional weight.
I also really liked the choice to use bird nicknames rather than the girls' real names. At first I thought it sounded a little strange, but it ultimately adds another layer of mystery and symbolism to the story. The nicknames help create the feeling that these girls were once part of their own private world, one that no longer exists.
The book uses multiple points of view, which allows you to understand each girl's background and motivations. For me, this was both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, the rotating perspectives give the characters depth and help build empathy for all of them. On the other hand, there were definitely moments where I had to remind myself whose chapter I was reading, especially early on. Those who struggle with large casts may find the first half a bit challenging.
Speaking of pacing, this is very much a slow-burn thriller. The first half focuses heavily on character development, atmosphere, and building the emotional foundation of the story. In fact, I became so invested in the girls' lives during the 2020 timeline that I almost forgot there was still a present-day mystery waiting to unfold. The tension gradually simmers in the background before finally ramping up significantly in the later sections. Around the final stretch, the pace accelerates and the suspense becomes much more intense.
What I appreciated most is that beneath the mystery, this is really a story about consequences. It's about what happens when intelligent, ambitious young people lose faith in the future they've been promised. It's about the lingering effects of boredom, loneliness, grief, and anger. The thriller elements are compelling, but the emotional exploration of guilt and regret is what truly lingers.
Overall, “The Five of Us” is a thoughtful, atmospheric psychological thriller that blends mystery with a surprisingly sharp examination of friendship and adolescence during an extraordinary moment in history. If you enjoy character-driven mysteries, multiple perspectives, dark academia vibes, and stories that focus on the emotional fallout of long-buried secrets, this one is definitely worth picking up.
“The Five of Us” by Sian Gilbert is one of those thrillers that feels less interested in shocking twists and more interested in exploring how guilt, loneliness, and one terrible decision can shape an entire life. Part dark academia, part psychological thriller, and deeply rooted in the strange reality of 2020, this is a slow-burning but emotionally powerful story about friendship, anger, and the long shadow of regret.
The story follows five exceptionally bright girls attending an underfunded school in Bristol. Known only by their bird nicknames—Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo—they've built their identities around academic success and dreams of escaping their circumstances. Then the pandemic arrives, exams are canceled, their carefully planned futures suddenly disappear, and they're left isolated with nothing but uncertainty stretching ahead of them.
At first, the girls simply start breaking lockdown rules to spend time together. But boredom, frustration, and a growing sense that the world has abandoned them slowly push them toward increasingly reckless behavior. Something happens during that summer, something devastating enough to destroy their friendship forever.
Seven years later, the surviving girls are scattered, estranged, and carrying the emotional scars of what happened. Just as they've begun building separate lives, they discover that someone knows the truth about that summer. Forced back together, they're confronted with old secrets, unresolved trauma, and the possibility that the past may never stay buried.
What stood out to me most was how effectively the book captures the emotional atmosphere of 2020. Rather than focusing on the pandemic itself, the story examines the frustration, isolation, and hopelessness that many people experienced during that time. These girls had spent years working toward a future that suddenly vanished overnight. The resulting anger and recklessness feel believable, and the book does an excellent job showing how loneliness and uncertainty can push people toward choices they never would have made otherwise.
The friendship dynamics are easily the strongest part of the novel. Even when the girls are making terrible decisions, their bond feels genuine. The story spends a lot of time exploring loyalty, class differences, ambition, and the complicated ways friendships evolve under pressure. Watching these relationships fracture and later seeing the lingering effects years afterward gave the book much of its emotional weight.
I also really liked the choice to use bird nicknames rather than the girls' real names. At first I thought it sounded a little strange, but it ultimately adds another layer of mystery and symbolism to the story. The nicknames help create the feeling that these girls were once part of their own private world, one that no longer exists.
The book uses multiple points of view, which allows you to understand each girl's background and motivations. For me, this was both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, the rotating perspectives give the characters depth and help build empathy for all of them. On the other hand, there were definitely moments where I had to remind myself whose chapter I was reading, especially early on. Those who struggle with large casts may find the first half a bit challenging.
Speaking of pacing, this is very much a slow-burn thriller. The first half focuses heavily on character development, atmosphere, and building the emotional foundation of the story. In fact, I became so invested in the girls' lives during the 2020 timeline that I almost forgot there was still a present-day mystery waiting to unfold. The tension gradually simmers in the background before finally ramping up significantly in the later sections. Around the final stretch, the pace accelerates and the suspense becomes much more intense.
What I appreciated most is that beneath the mystery, this is really a story about consequences. It's about what happens when intelligent, ambitious young people lose faith in the future they've been promised. It's about the lingering effects of boredom, loneliness, grief, and anger. The thriller elements are compelling, but the emotional exploration of guilt and regret is what truly lingers.
Overall, “The Five of Us” is a thoughtful, atmospheric psychological thriller that blends mystery with a surprisingly sharp examination of friendship and adolescence during an extraordinary moment in history. If you enjoy character-driven mysteries, multiple perspectives, dark academia vibes, and stories that focus on the emotional fallout of long-buried secrets, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Five of Us is an atmospheric, slow-burn mystery with a creative premise and one of the more unique approaches to character identity I’ve read recently.
I especially enjoyed the air of mystery surrounding the characters created by using their nicknames throughout the novel. Sian Gilbert does a great job of interweaving each character’s bird-species nickname with their individual personality traits, and I appreciated how consistently the bird metaphor was carried throughout the entire story. It gave the novel a distinctive identity and added another layer to the way the characters were presented.
Gilbert also captures the despair, loneliness, and isolation of the COVID lockdown particularly well, especially through the lens of teenagers who were already at such a complicated stage of their lives. At the same time, she thoughtfully explores the complexities of friendship and the importance of having people to lean on during periods of isolation. I especially appreciated how the novel examined the ways friendships can both support us and complicate our lives, particularly during a time when those connections felt more important than ever.
Where I struggled most was with the size and similarity of the cast. With several characters sharing similar traits, I frequently found myself going back and forth trying to remember who was who. I actually ended up highlighting details throughout the novel on my Kindle just to keep everyone somewhat straight. While the bird nicknames were creative and added to the mystery, they also made it a little harder for me to connect with the characters individually.
I went into this expecting a slow burn, but I wasn’t prepared for just how slowly the story would unfold. The plot didn’t really pick up for me until around the 70% mark, and while the increasing savagery of the group was intriguing, I didn’t feel as though the character development fully supported that progression. I’ve seen other readers praise the character arcs, but for me, most of the meaningful growth and change came in the final few chapters rather than developing steadily throughout the novel.
Overall, The Five of Us had a compelling atmosphere, a clever use of symbolism, and an interesting exploration of isolation, friendship, and group dynamics. While the pacing and large cast kept me from connecting with it as much as I’d hoped, I can see this working well for readers who enjoy very slow-burn, character-driven mysteries with an unsettling atmosphere and a unique central concept.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I especially enjoyed the air of mystery surrounding the characters created by using their nicknames throughout the novel. Sian Gilbert does a great job of interweaving each character’s bird-species nickname with their individual personality traits, and I appreciated how consistently the bird metaphor was carried throughout the entire story. It gave the novel a distinctive identity and added another layer to the way the characters were presented.
Gilbert also captures the despair, loneliness, and isolation of the COVID lockdown particularly well, especially through the lens of teenagers who were already at such a complicated stage of their lives. At the same time, she thoughtfully explores the complexities of friendship and the importance of having people to lean on during periods of isolation. I especially appreciated how the novel examined the ways friendships can both support us and complicate our lives, particularly during a time when those connections felt more important than ever.
Where I struggled most was with the size and similarity of the cast. With several characters sharing similar traits, I frequently found myself going back and forth trying to remember who was who. I actually ended up highlighting details throughout the novel on my Kindle just to keep everyone somewhat straight. While the bird nicknames were creative and added to the mystery, they also made it a little harder for me to connect with the characters individually.
I went into this expecting a slow burn, but I wasn’t prepared for just how slowly the story would unfold. The plot didn’t really pick up for me until around the 70% mark, and while the increasing savagery of the group was intriguing, I didn’t feel as though the character development fully supported that progression. I’ve seen other readers praise the character arcs, but for me, most of the meaningful growth and change came in the final few chapters rather than developing steadily throughout the novel.
Overall, The Five of Us had a compelling atmosphere, a clever use of symbolism, and an interesting exploration of isolation, friendship, and group dynamics. While the pacing and large cast kept me from connecting with it as much as I’d hoped, I can see this working well for readers who enjoy very slow-burn, character-driven mysteries with an unsettling atmosphere and a unique central concept.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Part dark academia, part psychological thriller, and deeply rooted in the chaos and uncertainty of 2020, it explores what happens when a group of intelligent girls stop believing the future has a place for them.
The story follows five best friends known only by bird nicknames. Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo. They are all bright students attending an underfunded school in Bristol. When the pandemic abruptly shuts the world down, their exams are cancelled, their carefully planned futures disappear overnight, and the isolation begins to wear away at them.
What starts as sneaking out during lockdown quickly spirals into increasingly reckless and dangerous behaviour, leading to a summer that changes all of their lives forever.
Seven years later, the surviving girls are estranged and barely holding themselves together as adults. But when it becomes clear someone knows what happened that summer, they’re forced back into each other’s orbit along with all the guilt, anger, and unresolved trauma they tried to bury.
What stood out most to me was the emotional tension running through the entire story. There’s this constant feeling of frustration, claustrophobia, and simmering resentment that perfectly captures that specific era of fear, uncertainty, and isolation. The book does such a good job portraying how quickly loneliness and hopelessness can push people toward destructive choices.
I also really appreciated how distinct the girls felt despite the large cast. The shifting perspectives gave each of them emotional depth, and the story spends a lot of time exploring class, ambition, friendship, and the crushing pressure of trying to build a future in a world that suddenly feels broken.
The pacing is slower at times especially in the first half, but I found myself completely invested in both the group dynamic and the unravelling mystery. The tension builds gradually. It’s darker, more introspective, and much more interested in guilt, anger, identity, and the long shadow left behind by one terrible summer.
Thank you so much Blackstone Publishing, Sian Gilbert, and NetGalley for the #gifted earc.
All opinions are my own 🖤
The story follows five best friends known only by bird nicknames. Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo. They are all bright students attending an underfunded school in Bristol. When the pandemic abruptly shuts the world down, their exams are cancelled, their carefully planned futures disappear overnight, and the isolation begins to wear away at them.
What starts as sneaking out during lockdown quickly spirals into increasingly reckless and dangerous behaviour, leading to a summer that changes all of their lives forever.
Seven years later, the surviving girls are estranged and barely holding themselves together as adults. But when it becomes clear someone knows what happened that summer, they’re forced back into each other’s orbit along with all the guilt, anger, and unresolved trauma they tried to bury.
What stood out most to me was the emotional tension running through the entire story. There’s this constant feeling of frustration, claustrophobia, and simmering resentment that perfectly captures that specific era of fear, uncertainty, and isolation. The book does such a good job portraying how quickly loneliness and hopelessness can push people toward destructive choices.
I also really appreciated how distinct the girls felt despite the large cast. The shifting perspectives gave each of them emotional depth, and the story spends a lot of time exploring class, ambition, friendship, and the crushing pressure of trying to build a future in a world that suddenly feels broken.
The pacing is slower at times especially in the first half, but I found myself completely invested in both the group dynamic and the unravelling mystery. The tension builds gradually. It’s darker, more introspective, and much more interested in guilt, anger, identity, and the long shadow left behind by one terrible summer.
Thank you so much Blackstone Publishing, Sian Gilbert, and NetGalley for the #gifted earc.
All opinions are my own 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Release: August 25, 2026
Author: Sian Gilbert
Publisher: Blackstone
Rating: 3.75★
Thoughts:
The five of us is a gripping and unnerving thriller that blends the tension of youth’s reckless decisions with the haunting consequences of those actions. The novel follows five girls—Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo—who, after the world shuts down and exams are canceled, begin to spiral into a world of dangerous choices. Their dark summer leads to tragic outcomes, and seven years later, the past is still haunting them. With themes of rage, fear, and a generation left behind, the novel navigates how actions of the past shape the present. It's a slow-burn, psychological exploration of guilt, secrets, and the fury of a group of girls trying to reclaim control in a world that has given them nothing. The tension between what was and what could have been, paired with the haunting realization that someone is still watching, keeps the reader gripped. Hartley’s portrayal of the intersection of adolescence and adult regret makes for a potent, chilling narrative.
This book suits someone in the mood for something: dark, mysterious, tense
Pace: slow
Plot or Character Driven?: character-driven
Strong Character Development?: yes
Loveable Characters?: no
Diverse Cast?: no
Are Character Flaws a Main Focus?: yes
Main Themes / Tropes:
Rage, guilt, secrets, recklessness, betrayal, the loss of a future, friendship, trust, generational trauma
Synopsis:
Five girls, once the brightest students in a troubled school, are plunged into an uncertain, isolating summer as the world shuts down. Their recklessness spirals into tragedy, and seven years later, the consequences continue to haunt them. Someone knows what happened that summer, and their dark secrets are about to resurface.
Favorite Quote:
“We thought the future was ours—until the world dissolved.”
Author: Sian Gilbert
Publisher: Blackstone
Rating: 3.75★
Thoughts:
The five of us is a gripping and unnerving thriller that blends the tension of youth’s reckless decisions with the haunting consequences of those actions. The novel follows five girls—Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo—who, after the world shuts down and exams are canceled, begin to spiral into a world of dangerous choices. Their dark summer leads to tragic outcomes, and seven years later, the past is still haunting them. With themes of rage, fear, and a generation left behind, the novel navigates how actions of the past shape the present. It's a slow-burn, psychological exploration of guilt, secrets, and the fury of a group of girls trying to reclaim control in a world that has given them nothing. The tension between what was and what could have been, paired with the haunting realization that someone is still watching, keeps the reader gripped. Hartley’s portrayal of the intersection of adolescence and adult regret makes for a potent, chilling narrative.
This book suits someone in the mood for something: dark, mysterious, tense
Pace: slow
Plot or Character Driven?: character-driven
Strong Character Development?: yes
Loveable Characters?: no
Diverse Cast?: no
Are Character Flaws a Main Focus?: yes
Main Themes / Tropes:
Rage, guilt, secrets, recklessness, betrayal, the loss of a future, friendship, trust, generational trauma
Synopsis:
Five girls, once the brightest students in a troubled school, are plunged into an uncertain, isolating summer as the world shuts down. Their recklessness spirals into tragedy, and seven years later, the consequences continue to haunt them. Someone knows what happened that summer, and their dark secrets are about to resurface.
Favorite Quote:
“We thought the future was ours—until the world dissolved.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.8 ⭐️ 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Five brilliant teenage girls, known only by bird nicknames, break curfew during the COVID lockdown and make a series of reckless choices that end in tragedy.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
With multiple POVs, each of the 5 main characters had her own narrator. The casting was done well, as the voices really matched the personalities of the girls. I also liked how, 7 years later, their voices had matured, again matching their personalities.
I do wish production had them all speak in the same accent. It may not be obvious to non UK listeners, but to my London born ears, it didn’t make sense.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This was an entertaining exploration of friendship, guilt and the “lost generation” shaped by lockdown. The vibe is coming-of-age, with the last third of the book moving into thriller territory.
I do enjoy coming-of-age stories, but for a thriller fan, this part was too long and too slow paced for me. I loved the premise of the smart girlies breaking curfew and watching their behavior escalate, but it took too long to get there and didn’t feel thrillery enough.
It’s heavily character-based, and I enjoyed all 5 girls and their relationships with each other. I also enjoyed their growth, which is often missing in thrillers.
The final act was easily my favorite part. Lots of action, fast-paced, with some great reveals.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
If stories set during COVID aren’t for you, best avoid this. It’s definitely more coming-of-age than thriller, so this may be a great read for new adults who enjoy character-driven suspense.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing, Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Kate Walsh, Lucy Rayner, Imogen Church, Marisa Calin, Billie Fulford-Brown & Ella Lynch
📖 Release 08•25•26 | 🎧 Release 10•27•26|
336 pages | 11h
Five brilliant teenage girls, known only by bird nicknames, break curfew during the COVID lockdown and make a series of reckless choices that end in tragedy.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
With multiple POVs, each of the 5 main characters had her own narrator. The casting was done well, as the voices really matched the personalities of the girls. I also liked how, 7 years later, their voices had matured, again matching their personalities.
I do wish production had them all speak in the same accent. It may not be obvious to non UK listeners, but to my London born ears, it didn’t make sense.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
This was an entertaining exploration of friendship, guilt and the “lost generation” shaped by lockdown. The vibe is coming-of-age, with the last third of the book moving into thriller territory.
I do enjoy coming-of-age stories, but for a thriller fan, this part was too long and too slow paced for me. I loved the premise of the smart girlies breaking curfew and watching their behavior escalate, but it took too long to get there and didn’t feel thrillery enough.
It’s heavily character-based, and I enjoyed all 5 girls and their relationships with each other. I also enjoyed their growth, which is often missing in thrillers.
The final act was easily my favorite part. Lots of action, fast-paced, with some great reveals.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
If stories set during COVID aren’t for you, best avoid this. It’s definitely more coming-of-age than thriller, so this may be a great read for new adults who enjoy character-driven suspense.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing, Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Kate Walsh, Lucy Rayner, Imogen Church, Marisa Calin, Billie Fulford-Brown & Ella Lynch
📖 Release 08•25•26 | 🎧 Release 10•27•26|
336 pages | 11h
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ugh, I hate that I'm about to leave a mixed review. I devoured Gilbert's first two books and really enjoyed them, and I'm so disappointed that I didn't love this one. This author is notorious for the slow build and uses many different POVs to establish background and character depth. Unfortunately, for me, that trait didn't work well here. I kept getting the five girls mixed up and had to keep looking back to see whose chapter I was reading. This made for a very slow and confusing reading experience, and I had to continue to do this until the very end. I did not have that issue with her other books. I think that if the author gave us their backstories at the beginning and then used mainly one POV for the majority of the story, it would have been a different ball game. That's just my opinion though. What I did enjoy were the characters and the loyal bond of friendship that they shared. And I loved that we never knew their real names. This added an air of mystery and intrigue to a plot that already simmered with a quiet rage. Around the 80% mark, the pacing picked up with an intensity that I wish would have presented sooner. The ending was good but not redeeming enough to make up for the slowness or confusion. Overall, it was an ok read. I will still look for more of this author's novels in the future. Would I recommend it? Yes. Other readers seemed to have enjoyed it even though it wasn't what I was hoping for.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Expected US publication date: 8/25/2026
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Expected US publication date: 8/25/2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What an absolutely awesome ride from Sian Gilbert!
The year is 2020 and five best friends who are also known for being especially bright are thrown for a loop when the pandemic hits. Suddenly, all their studying and smarts are worthless as the world descends into unknown territory. What was supposed to be a final rush to their exams and a fun summer before adulthood is now quiet and lonely as they are stuck at home.
The girls decide to break the rules for once and meet under the cover of darkness, defying the law saying to quarantine. The five- all with bird nicknames- quickly discover they enjoy being bad. Unfortunately, they go too far and it shatters their worlds forever.
Seven years later, and they haven't spoken since the pandemic. They have gone their separate ways and are trying to carve the futures they wanted. But then they realize that someone knows what they did. They must band together again and figure out who it is and what they have to do if they want any hope at a normal life.
The book is fantastic in world-building and goes between the different POVs so you understand each girl's background. I almost forgot there was going to be a second act- I was so connected to the first and interested in where it was all going.
The Five of Us gets five stars from me!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
The year is 2020 and five best friends who are also known for being especially bright are thrown for a loop when the pandemic hits. Suddenly, all their studying and smarts are worthless as the world descends into unknown territory. What was supposed to be a final rush to their exams and a fun summer before adulthood is now quiet and lonely as they are stuck at home.
The girls decide to break the rules for once and meet under the cover of darkness, defying the law saying to quarantine. The five- all with bird nicknames- quickly discover they enjoy being bad. Unfortunately, they go too far and it shatters their worlds forever.
Seven years later, and they haven't spoken since the pandemic. They have gone their separate ways and are trying to carve the futures they wanted. But then they realize that someone knows what they did. They must band together again and figure out who it is and what they have to do if they want any hope at a normal life.
The book is fantastic in world-building and goes between the different POVs so you understand each girl's background. I almost forgot there was going to be a second act- I was so connected to the first and interested in where it was all going.
The Five of Us gets five stars from me!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
May 21, 2026
I already really like this author, so I was eager to read this book even though the description was less than interesting to me. I am not a fan of pandemic themed stories and the bird names just seemed weird. Well, I was wrong. Again. First of all, the pandemic is sort of the backdrop for a much bigger picture and the girls' names are explained and that was sort of cool. Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo are really promising students at a school that is boring and inadequate for their brainpower. Then comes the 2020 world shutdown and there go all their hopes and dreams. That leaves we five really smart teenage girls stuck in their houses and tell me that isn't a recipe for trouble. They sneak out, something terrible happens and seven years later, trouble is back at their doorsteps. The girls have not been in touch since the "incident" and are now forced to be. There is quite a large cast of characters here and numerous POV's, but the main players seemed well-rounded to me. Yes, this is a thriller, but I felt a main theme was the effects of boredom and loneliness and their consequences playing a big part in the storytelling. I am eager to read the next book from Sian Gilbert!
Thank you to Sian Gilbert, #NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Sian Gilbert, #NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*The Five of Us* is dark, unsettling, and utterly compelling. It has stayed with me long after I turned the final page. Sian Gilbert expertly explores the intensity of female friendship, the kind of closeness that can feel comforting, all-consuming, and dangerous in equal measure.
The relationship between the five girls is the heart of the novel. Their bond is beautifully drawn, filled with loyalty, shared dreams, private jokes, and an unspoken understanding that only comes from years of friendship. Yet Gilbert never shies away from the darker side of that intimacy. Beneath the affection lie jealousy, resentment, insecurity, and the pressure to belong, creating a constant sense of tension that simmers throughout the story.
The atmosphere is wonderfully claustrophobic and foreboding. As secrets begin to surface, the girls' once-unbreakable connection becomes increasingly fragile, and the story takes on a chilling sense of inevitability. Gilbert captures how easily love can become obsession, how loyalty can turn toxic, and how one devastating event can alter the course of multiple lives.
Beautifully written, emotionally sharp, and deliciously dark, *The Five of Us* is a haunting exploration of friendship and its consequences. A gripping thriller with real depth and one of the most convincing portrayals of close-knit relationships I have read in a long time.
The relationship between the five girls is the heart of the novel. Their bond is beautifully drawn, filled with loyalty, shared dreams, private jokes, and an unspoken understanding that only comes from years of friendship. Yet Gilbert never shies away from the darker side of that intimacy. Beneath the affection lie jealousy, resentment, insecurity, and the pressure to belong, creating a constant sense of tension that simmers throughout the story.
The atmosphere is wonderfully claustrophobic and foreboding. As secrets begin to surface, the girls' once-unbreakable connection becomes increasingly fragile, and the story takes on a chilling sense of inevitability. Gilbert captures how easily love can become obsession, how loyalty can turn toxic, and how one devastating event can alter the course of multiple lives.
Beautifully written, emotionally sharp, and deliciously dark, *The Five of Us* is a haunting exploration of friendship and its consequences. A gripping thriller with real depth and one of the most convincing portrayals of close-knit relationships I have read in a long time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"A suffocating, sun-soaked masterclass in tension—The Five of Us is a razor-sharp, unputdownable thriller where old secrets carry a deadly body count."
☕ The Logline: When five old high school friends reunite for an exclusive, luxury birthday trip on a remote Mediterranean island, paradise quickly becomes a claustrophobic nightmare as long-buried resentments, betrayals, and dark secrets resurface.
🔍 Why It Works:
• The Setting: The remote island setting feels like a trap from page one. The juxtaposition of luxury, bright sunshine, and creeping dread makes the atmosphere feel completely suffocating.
• The Dynamics: The character web is an absolute trainwreck in the best way possible. Every single member of the group has something to hide, making everyone an unreliable narrator and a suspect.
• The Pacing: Short chapters and relentless cliffhangers keep the momentum moving at a breakneck speed until the final, shocking reveal.
✨ Tropes & Vibes:
✦ Locked-location / Isolated island
✦ Reunited friend group with a secret
✦ Unreliable narrators
✦ High-stakes drama & dark twists
🎯 The Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 — A tense, binge-worthy thriller perfect for fans of The Guest List or One of Us Is Lying. A total must-read if you love watching toxic friendships unravel under pressure.
📩 Approved ARC review for Plotting Between the Covers.
☕ The Logline: When five old high school friends reunite for an exclusive, luxury birthday trip on a remote Mediterranean island, paradise quickly becomes a claustrophobic nightmare as long-buried resentments, betrayals, and dark secrets resurface.
🔍 Why It Works:
• The Setting: The remote island setting feels like a trap from page one. The juxtaposition of luxury, bright sunshine, and creeping dread makes the atmosphere feel completely suffocating.
• The Dynamics: The character web is an absolute trainwreck in the best way possible. Every single member of the group has something to hide, making everyone an unreliable narrator and a suspect.
• The Pacing: Short chapters and relentless cliffhangers keep the momentum moving at a breakneck speed until the final, shocking reveal.
✨ Tropes & Vibes:
✦ Locked-location / Isolated island
✦ Reunited friend group with a secret
✦ Unreliable narrators
✦ High-stakes drama & dark twists
🎯 The Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 — A tense, binge-worthy thriller perfect for fans of The Guest List or One of Us Is Lying. A total must-read if you love watching toxic friendships unravel under pressure.
📩 Approved ARC review for Plotting Between the Covers.
Did Not Finish
July 7, 2026Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC version of this book.
DNF 25%
I am a huge fan of the author and I truly enjoyed her first two books. I was excited for this one. However, that being said, there was nothing to hook me in, interest-wise when beginning to read this. The description of the plot did not indicate that the story would be told sequentially from the beginning when the characters are still in high school. I imagine that the story picks up and is a lot better once we get into their adult lives but I had a very difficult time focusing in on what I was reading because I just wasn't interested in the girls' secret lives. Had this novel been structured differently, with the girls' as teens being flashbacks after they're established as adults, I think I could have gotten into it. I'm not sure why this is structured sequentially like this and perhaps I gave up before I found out. The problem is that I believed I was reading a thriller about adults, not the days of teens during the pandemic. If that was couched within the stories of the adults as flashbacks, I would definitely read it. But I wasn't invested in these girls and wasn't interested in reading what felt like YA to get to the adult part. I am so sad because I love Sian Gilbert!
DNF 25%
I am a huge fan of the author and I truly enjoyed her first two books. I was excited for this one. However, that being said, there was nothing to hook me in, interest-wise when beginning to read this. The description of the plot did not indicate that the story would be told sequentially from the beginning when the characters are still in high school. I imagine that the story picks up and is a lot better once we get into their adult lives but I had a very difficult time focusing in on what I was reading because I just wasn't interested in the girls' secret lives. Had this novel been structured differently, with the girls' as teens being flashbacks after they're established as adults, I think I could have gotten into it. I'm not sure why this is structured sequentially like this and perhaps I gave up before I found out. The problem is that I believed I was reading a thriller about adults, not the days of teens during the pandemic. If that was couched within the stories of the adults as flashbacks, I would definitely read it. But I wasn't invested in these girls and wasn't interested in reading what felt like YA to get to the adult part. I am so sad because I love Sian Gilbert!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What happens when five high school seniors are taken out of school, told they can't leave their house and will not be going back? This book offers a unique perspective into the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on our youth. These five young women, had their hopes and dreams shattered, the course of their futures as they saw it completely derailed. This book looks into the theory that anyone can become a murderer given the right circumstances. It offers a fresh dive into peer pressure and loss, grief and the human need for revenge.
Though the first part is quite slow and felt at times like the story is not progressing fast enough, once I reached the first big incident, the book took a surprisingly dark and twisty direction. I became invested in the group dynamics and the unique personalities of the girls, and the suspense built progressively to the surprising ending.
Despite the slow start, I think this psychological thriller is worth reading and investing your time in. Thank you, Netgalley and Blackstone publishing for the eARC and ALC of this book.
3.75 stars rounded up.
Though the first part is quite slow and felt at times like the story is not progressing fast enough, once I reached the first big incident, the book took a surprisingly dark and twisty direction. I became invested in the group dynamics and the unique personalities of the girls, and the suspense built progressively to the surprising ending.
Despite the slow start, I think this psychological thriller is worth reading and investing your time in. Thank you, Netgalley and Blackstone publishing for the eARC and ALC of this book.
3.75 stars rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publisher for the ARC opportunity
This mystery/thriller was an easy and engaging read that kept me turning the pages. While there were a few aspects of the story that felt a little drawn out, I really appreciated how relatable the book was in its portrayal of how COVID impacted people's lives, especially students navigating school during such an uncertain time. It added an authentic layer to the story that made the characters and their experiences feel very real.
I enjoyed the multiple POVs it really helped shape the story giving more depth. The mystery itself kept me invested, and there were a couple of twists that genuinely caught me off guard. Just when I thought I knew the way the story was going to go, the story took a turn I wasn't expecting. Even the ending surprised me.
Overall, this was an enjoyable thriller with relatable themes, unexpected twists, and a satisfying mystery.
This mystery/thriller was an easy and engaging read that kept me turning the pages. While there were a few aspects of the story that felt a little drawn out, I really appreciated how relatable the book was in its portrayal of how COVID impacted people's lives, especially students navigating school during such an uncertain time. It added an authentic layer to the story that made the characters and their experiences feel very real.
I enjoyed the multiple POVs it really helped shape the story giving more depth. The mystery itself kept me invested, and there were a couple of twists that genuinely caught me off guard. Just when I thought I knew the way the story was going to go, the story took a turn I wasn't expecting. Even the ending surprised me.
Overall, this was an enjoyable thriller with relatable themes, unexpected twists, and a satisfying mystery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an interesting mix of messy female friendships, secrets, rage, and the lasting effects of choices made when you’re young. I really liked following these five girls during such an uncertain time in their lives and then seeing where they ended up seven years later.
The female friendships were definitely a standout. These girls are complicated, flawed, and sometimes incredibly frustrating, which made their dynamics even more interesting. I enjoyed slowly uncovering what happened that summer and how it continued to follow them into adulthood.
I listened to this on audio, and the full cast was FOR SURE a highlight. They really brought each character to life and added a lot to the overall experience.
This didn’t completely blow me away, but it kept me interested and I enjoyed watching the past and present slowly come together. 3.5 stars rounded up!
Thanks to NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks for the ALC!
The female friendships were definitely a standout. These girls are complicated, flawed, and sometimes incredibly frustrating, which made their dynamics even more interesting. I enjoyed slowly uncovering what happened that summer and how it continued to follow them into adulthood.
I listened to this on audio, and the full cast was FOR SURE a highlight. They really brought each character to life and added a lot to the overall experience.
This didn’t completely blow me away, but it kept me interested and I enjoyed watching the past and present slowly come together. 3.5 stars rounded up!
Thanks to NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Five of Us follows the increasingly heightened escapades of five friends—Crow, Goldfinch, Starling, Wren, and Cuckoo—as the pandemic closes their school, cancels their exams, and snatches their future possibilities.
Left with isolation, frustration, and an uncertain future, the five friends begin to break the new rules. Starting small at first, they increasingly move to more daring activities. That is, until an event that summer changes everything.
Seven years later, the estranged friends reconnect, the emotional trauma not yet dealt with. Just as they begin to move forward, they are abruptly forced to face the past: someone knows what happened.
Each still dealing with their own trauma, the friends work together to find out the truth.
Emotionally tense and class-sensitive, The Five of Us speaks to all those left behind. With the pandemic, young adults' future plans were stolen, forced to move on like nothing had changed. The book portrays this resentment masterfully and its corruptible influence.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Sian Gilbert, and NetGalley for an early arc!
Left with isolation, frustration, and an uncertain future, the five friends begin to break the new rules. Starting small at first, they increasingly move to more daring activities. That is, until an event that summer changes everything.
Seven years later, the estranged friends reconnect, the emotional trauma not yet dealt with. Just as they begin to move forward, they are abruptly forced to face the past: someone knows what happened.
Each still dealing with their own trauma, the friends work together to find out the truth.
Emotionally tense and class-sensitive, The Five of Us speaks to all those left behind. With the pandemic, young adults' future plans were stolen, forced to move on like nothing had changed. The book portrays this resentment masterfully and its corruptible influence.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, Sian Gilbert, and NetGalley for an early arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dark and gritty, this novel explores the dynamics of adolescent/young adult female friendship and the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Think of your ride-or-die friends, those that would help you bury a body, no questions asked. But would they help you commit a murder? A little bit unsettling, yes, but an intriguing premise. There was a whole bird metaphor thing that I wasn't sure about at first, but the author did a fantastic job of tying each character's personality to their bird nickname throughout the entire story, adding a unique layer to the character development. Even so, in the beginning I had a little bit of a hard time keeping all the characters and their POVs straight, but as the story picked up speed I was sucked right in. As for the ending...I have mixed feelings about that, but I won't spoil it for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ALC.
These girls are a hot mess - and they grow up to be insane women! This is a dual timeline novel focused on a group of young women that devolves into madness and murder. This is exactly why parents are worried about peer pressure! After the death of one of their group, they go their separate ways, only to come back together years later when they must answer for what they know - or don't know - about what happened when they were young. They aren't the only ones who have thoughts on what happened all those years ago.
A gripping, thoughtful, psychological thriller that explores the dynamics of teenage friends and adult decisions.
These girls are a hot mess - and they grow up to be insane women! This is a dual timeline novel focused on a group of young women that devolves into madness and murder. This is exactly why parents are worried about peer pressure! After the death of one of their group, they go their separate ways, only to come back together years later when they must answer for what they know - or don't know - about what happened when they were young. They aren't the only ones who have thoughts on what happened all those years ago.
A gripping, thoughtful, psychological thriller that explores the dynamics of teenage friends and adult decisions.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I quite enjoyed this story from Sian Gilbert, and the narrator was top notch and helped bring the story to life.
5 young girls band together as loners. With a taste of mischief that arises from COVID boredom, they keep upping the ante until they are over their heads. And one of them pays the ultimate price.
I enjoyed the characters and their friendship and the way they developed and changed based on the world around them. I found their actions to be believable and compelling, and I loved how they took care of each other. They are not perfect people, but they absolutely care about each other.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sian Gilbert, and Blackstone Publishing for my ARC of this audiobook.
5 young girls band together as loners. With a taste of mischief that arises from COVID boredom, they keep upping the ante until they are over their heads. And one of them pays the ultimate price.
I enjoyed the characters and their friendship and the way they developed and changed based on the world around them. I found their actions to be believable and compelling, and I loved how they took care of each other. They are not perfect people, but they absolutely care about each other.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sian Gilbert, and Blackstone Publishing for my ARC of this audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Do you like books in which all the main characters name themselves after birds and refer to each other only by their bird names and discuss how much each of them are like the bird they have named themselves after? Do you like teenage angst? Do you like reading about girls who enjoy shocking themselves about how bad they are? Do you enjoy reading about their disappointing lives after they all fail to launch? (well, maybe a little bit because I didn't like any of them.)
If you answered yes to the above questions you will certainly like this book. I answered no to most of them.
If you answered yes to the above questions you will certainly like this book. I answered no to most of them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've read and enjoyed all of Sian Gilbert's books. This one is much different everything else she's written, and I adore it!
It is rich in Gothic atmosphere and having the story happened against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic created an even more claustrophobic and tense air.
The characters are all richly layered and compelx, as is their relationship with one another. The friendship circle is beautiful, tragic, uplifting, and heartbreaking all at once.
I've read and enjoyed all of Sian Gilbert's books. This one is much different everything else she's written, and I adore it!
It is rich in Gothic atmosphere and having the story happened against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic created an even more claustrophobic and tense air.
The characters are all richly layered and compelx, as is their relationship with one another. The friendship circle is beautiful, tragic, uplifting, and heartbreaking all at once.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What starts as restless teenage fun during lockdown slowly becomes deadly in “The Five of Us”. When 5 girls are sneaking out during Covid lockdown every night there’s a horrible accident and more than one death. The survivors have to move on after they cover their tracks. That is until what they’ve done catches up to them 7 years later and they have to deal with the fallout and more importantly, whoever is taunting them with their secrets.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of ARC received from NetGallery
4.5, rounded up. This was such a fun read, despite starting off a bit slow. It really began to pick up around the 35% mark. I was hooked after that. Part two, in particular, was nearly impossible to put down. I enjoyed how the chapters alternated between the five girls, really allowing you to get a full picture of them as individuals and as a group. The story felt unique, each twist was unexpected, and the atmosphere was really well done. This was my first Sian Gilbert book and I’ll definitely be reading her others!
4.5, rounded up. This was such a fun read, despite starting off a bit slow. It really began to pick up around the 35% mark. I was hooked after that. Part two, in particular, was nearly impossible to put down. I enjoyed how the chapters alternated between the five girls, really allowing you to get a full picture of them as individuals and as a group. The story felt unique, each twist was unexpected, and the atmosphere was really well done. This was my first Sian Gilbert book and I’ll definitely be reading her others!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sian Gilbert has done it again, and this might be her best yet. Really excited for the world to get lost in this dark, propulsive read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received ARC from author*
Sian did it again! Now one of my favorite authors, she knows how to weave a dark, twisted tale that keeps guessing and on edge until the end. Well done, 5/5!
Sian did it again! Now one of my favorite authors, she knows how to weave a dark, twisted tale that keeps guessing and on edge until the end. Well done, 5/5!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the third book published by Sian Gilbert, and I have read all three. I have found myself attached to each character in her books in one way or another. This book takes place in the covid pandemic. Five prim and proper best friends are all of a sudden leaving their most anticipated senior year way too early. The reader follows the five girls as they find themselves breaking rules and really enjoying the power it is giving them. As they come back together as adults, they must face the reality of their actions in the midst of the covid pandemic.
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